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It’s never easy when Christmas shopping to find that volleyball-theme gift for that college volleyball fan in your life.
With the Christmas shopping season underway, Off the Block has scoured the internet to create the 2016 Ultimate Christmas Gift List for college volleyball fans. Everything from books and retro volleyball swag to great volleyball stocking stuffers made the cut on our fourth-annual volleyball gift list.
Check out these must-haves and must-buys for volleyball fan this holiday shopping season.
Volleyball gift categories
Volleyball Books
Volleyball Posters and Artwork
Shoes and Volleyball Gear
Vintage Volleyball Items
Volleyball Apparel and Accessorries
Vintage Drinkware
Volleyball Games
Volleyball Causes
Volleyball Stocking Stuffers
Volleyball Team Swag
VOLLEYBALL BOOKS TO BUY THIS CHRISTMAS
NCAA Volleyball History: Coaches, Players, Personalities & Teams
By Michael J. Sondheimer
“NCAA Volleyball History” examines each national championship starting with the first men’s volleyball NCAA Tournament in 1970 to Ohio State winning the national championship earlier this year. In addition, the 352-page book features more than 100 interviews with former players and coaches and provides in-depth stories about the people and personalities that contributed to the growth of college volleyball. Beyond providing a detailed analysis of the NCAA Tournaments, the historical book contains photos from numerous NCAA championships and a media section with all-time records and stats. To order your copy of “NCAA Volleyball History,” click here.
Volleyball Coaching Wizards
By John Forman and Mark Lebedew
“Volleyball Coaching Wizards” features insights on all aspects of coaching volleyball from eight individuals with a history of leading successful programs. Among the coaches offering their perspectives in this recently released book includes former BYU men’s volleyball coach Carl McGown and the winningest Canadian college men’s volleyball coach Garth Pischke. This book provides applicable information for volleyball coaches of all levels and genders. To order your copy of “Volleyball Coaching Wizards, click here.
The Biggest Mistake I Never Made
By Lloy Ball as told by Blake Sebring
In a year when Lloy Ball was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame, it’s only fitting to read his autobiography. This is the only autobiography of the former U.S. Olympic gold medalist and IPFW All-American. The book provides an in-depth analysis of Ball’s life, including his time with the U.S. Men’s National Team and his decision to play for his father and the IPFW men’s volleyball team instead of committing to play for coach Bob Knight and the Indiana University men’s basketball team. In addition, Ball doesn’t hold back any of his opinions as he gives readers an inside look into the world of professional volleyball and family life as a professional athlete. To order your copy of “The Biggest Mistake I Never Made,” click here
The Volleyball Debate
By Vinnie Lopes
It is one of the least known stories, but perhaps the most intriguing and important, in both the history of the Ball State athletics and college volleyball. “The Volleyball Debate” examines the five-year struggle in the 1960s of how Hall of Fame coach Don Shondell and his new Ball State men’s volleyball team overcame resistance for school officials and their athletics director to become one of the first college varsity volleyball teams in the nation. With all original research, this book also provides an in-depth look at why this fight almost 50 years ago still is relevant today for college men’s volleyball. To order your copy of “The Volleyball Debate,”click here.
The Untold Story of William G. Morgan
By Joel B. Dearing
Volleyball is one of the world’s most popular sports, but one story untold before this book was the history of its creator William G. Morgan. This non-fiction book chronicles Morgan’s life ranging from how and why he created volleyball in the late-19th century to places and people that influenced him to start the game. For any volleyball fan, this book provides an insight and historical understanding to the sport. In addition, the book’s author Dearing earned the Mintonette Medallion of Merit from the Volleyball Hall of Fame in October for his achievements to volleyball. To order your copy of “The Untold Story of William G. Morgan, Inventor of Volleyball,” click here.
Wahine Volleyball
By Dave Shoji with Ann Miller
Dave Shoji in his 40 years of coaching Hawai’i has not only became the winningest coach in NCAA women’s volleyball history and won four national championships, but turned his team into one of the premier programs in the state. This first-person historical account examines the growth of Wahine volleyball and the memorable moments during Hawai’i’s program history. The book also includes yearly comprehensive stats for every Hawai’i season. To order a copy of “Wahine Volleyball: 40 Years Coaching Hawaii’s Team,” click here.
The Volleyball Essentials
By Marv Dunphy and Rod Wilde
The Hall of Fame Pepperdine coach Marv Dunphy and former U.S. setter Rod Wilde co-authored this insightful volleyball book to help players improve their skills on the court. This book focuses on the all the essential skills to play sport and provides drills for players to improve on their individual techniques. It also includes the various offensive and defensive systems for teams and features a chapter about transitions. Dunphy along with his success at Pepperdine, led the United States to an Olympic gold medal and is one of the winningest coaches in NCAA volleyball history. To order a copy of “The Volleyball Essentials,” click here.
Avatar’s Guide to Beach Volleyball
By Ryan Doherty
Professional beach volleyball player Ryan Doherty provides an inside look to everything an individual needs to know about the growing sport of beach volleyball. Doherty, a self-described jokester with the on-court nickname of Avatar, provides a comprehensive breakdown ranging from rules and terminology to complex offensive systems and how players can sign sponsors. In addition, Doherty discusses other lighter topics such as the top tournaments fans should attend and how to flirt with other volleyball players. To order a copy of “Avatar’s Guide to Beach Volleyball: Everything you need to know about the sport from the only professional player that writes,” click here.
VOLLEYBALL POSTERS AND ARTWORK TO BUY THIS CHRISTMAS
Grow the Game
This 20″ x 14″ poster designed by Off the Block includes every NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball program and highlights how every team is working towards expanding men’s volleyball in the United States. To order this poster, click here.
Grow the Game
This 8″ x 10″ poster designed by Off the Block includes every NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball conference and highlights the importance of each conference in helping grow men’s volleyball in the United States. To order this poster, click here.
Volleyball diagram
This poster is a rendering of a drawing included in a U.S. patent proposal for a volleyball panel. To order this poster, click here.
Volleyball net adjuster diagram
This poster is a rendering of a drawing included in a U.S. patent proposal for a volleyball net adjuster. To order this poster, click here.
Volleyball net diagram
This poster is a rendering of a drawing included in a U.S. patent proposal for a volleyball net. To order this poster, click here.
USA vs. Soviet Union poster
This vintage poster is from 1975 when the United States played the Soviet Union in Maryland. To order this USA Volleyball poster, click here
SHOES AND VOLLEYBALL GEAR TO BUY THIS CHRISTMAS
Nike Air Zoom Hyperattack Volleyball Shoes
This new volleyball shoe from Nike is available in five style options. To order a pair of these shoes, click here.
George Mason volleyball bag
No better way to celebrate the newest EIVA champions George Mason than by sporting a volleyball bag with the Patriots’ logo on it. To order this volleyball backpack, click here.
Knee pads
A simple gift that any volleyball player can appreciate is new knee pads. To purchase these Nike knee pads, click here.
Molten Flistatec volleyball
The Molten Flistatec Volleyball is the official volleyball of USA Volleyball. This Molten volleyball is the official size and weight for regulation indoor play and features a red, white and blue pattern. To order this volleyball, click here.
UCLA volleyball
To order this full-size UCLA volleyball that comes in the official school colors of blue and gold, click here.
Volleyball strategy board
The ability to diagram plays can get a little bit easier with this volleyball strategy board. Both sides of the dry erase whiteboard are magnetic. This kit also includes dry-wipe pens, erasers and magnetic colored team pieces to use while diagraming players. Along with the functionality of this board, it is about 18 inches in length to make it easily portable. To purchase this volleyball strategy board from Molten, click here.
AVP folding chair
This gift can always give you a chair and a cup holder whether you are at the beach or at a crowded volleyball arena with no stands. Plus, it is a way support the beach volleyball league in the United States. To order this chair, click here.
VINTAGE VOLLEYBALL ITEAMS TO BUY THIS CHRISTMAS
1950s volleyball
To purchase this vintage outdoor volleyball from more than 50 years ago, click here.
Harvard volleyball hat
Harvard has become a fixture in the top half of the EIVA standings in recent years, so now is the time to wear some throwback Harvard gear. To purchase this Harvard volleyball hat, click here.
Nintendo volleyball
An old school Nintendo is one of the hot ticket items this year and this volleyball video game to be the perfect addition for that game console. To order this video game, click here.
Atari volleyball
You can’t get a much more vintage volleyball video game than Atari 2600 Volleyball. To order this video game, click here.
Defend the Bren shirt
The Defend the Bren series was created by UC Irvine to help increase student attendance at various home sport events at the Brent Center, including men’s volleyball matches. To order this shirt, click here.
Vintage USA Volleyball shirt
With a colorful vibe across the front, this USA Volleyball long sleeve shirt is from the 1970s. To order this old school USA volleyball shirt, click here.
Vintage VolleyTalk shirt
VolleyTalk is a popular online forum that allows fans to discuss the latest volleyball news. To show your support for the comment board by purchasing this 2006 official VolleyTalk shirt, click here.
VOLLEYBALL APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES TO BUY THIS CHRISTMAS
Replica U.S. Men’s National Team jersey
The U.S. National Team rallied from losing its first two Olympic matches to win the bronze medal at the 2016 Games. Now is the time to show your support for this team in style. To order this Team USA volleyball jersey, click here.
Volleyball Hall of Fame hoodie
The Volleyball Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates the greatest volleyball players and coaches in the sport’s history, and this sweatshirt lets you show your support for the organization vital to maintaining the history of volleyball. To order this Volleyball Hall of Fame hoodie, click here.
AVP hat
The AVP is the biggest professional beach volleyball league in the United States and features numerous Olympians competing in its tournaments throughout the year. To order this stylish AVP trucker hat, click here.
USA Volleyball shirt
USA Volleyball finished the 2016 Olympics winning three bronze medals and won a gold medal in women’s sitting volleyball at the 2016 Paralympics. To order this USA Volleyball shirt, click here.
USA Volleyball beanie
Not only did the United States win three bronze medals at the 2016 Olympics, but the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team and the U.S. Boys’ Youth National Team this year both qualified for the upcoming FIVB World Championship. This beanie lets you show your support for all these teams, while staying warm in the cold weather. To order this USA Volleyball beanie, click here.
UC Santa Barbara pullover
There are just some coaches who have a signature look on the sidelines. Just like New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and his hoodie, the black pullover in college men’s volleyball has become synonymous with UC Santa Barbara coach Rick McLaughlin. To order this pullover, click here.
Volleyball pillows
A volleyball player or fan can rest their head on this comfy volleyball or just use it as a decorative pillow. To order these volleyball pillows, click here.
I heart Matt Anderson shirt
Yes, someone made these shirts featuring opposite Matt Anderson. There are also similar shirts available featuring every U.S. Men’s National Team player. To order this fan volleyball shirt, click here.
VOLLEYBALL DRINKWARE TO BUY THIS CHRISTMAS
Big West Conference mug
The Big West announced in the off-season it would become the fifth conference to sponsor NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball. It supported men’s volleyball, and now it’s the fans turn to support the Big West. To order this conference mug, click here.
USA Volleyball tumbler
This travel cup gives you the opportunity to show your support for USA Volleyball, which won three bronze medals at the 2016 Olympics, while drinking coffee at the office or around the talk. To order this USA Volleyball tumbler, click here.
Volleyball Hall of Fame mug
The Volleyball Hall of Fame is located at the birthplace of volleyball in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and celebrates the history of the sport. To order this limited-edition Volleyball Hall of Fame pint-size glass, click here.
AVP shot glasses
If you are going to drink responsibility and take a shot, you might as well do it in a volleyball-themed shot glass. To order this AVP shot glass, click here.
VolleyTalk mug
Coffee feels like a necessity when waking up early or staying up late to read the latest fan comments on the popular online forum board VolleyTalk. To purchase this VolleyTalk travel mug, click here.
Volleyball mug
It’s a coffee mug that looks like a volleyball — doesn’t get much more simplistic than that for a volleyball-themed gift. To order this mug, click here.
VOLLEYBALL GAMES TO BUY THIS CHRISTMAS
Cubical volleyball game
It’s a volleyball net that attaches to the top of a cubicle and includes an inflatable volleyball. What about that doesn’t sound like office fun with your cubical mates. To order this volleyball game, click here.
Giant inflatable volleyball
This giant volleyball can inflate to more than three feet and is less than $10. What could go wrong playing volleyball in the house with this giant volleyball. To order this inflatable volleyball, click here.
Inflatable volleyball net
Sure this volleyball net is intended to be used in a pool, but it also can be a portable volleyball court and used anywhere for a match of sitting volleyball. To order this inflatable volleyball net, click here.
VOLLEYBALL CAUSES TO GIVE TO THIS CHRISTMAS
Volleyball Hall of Fame donation
The International Volleyball Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization with the mission of preserving the sport’s history, honoring excellence and promoting volleyball. Individuals can make a donation with the money going towards the Volleyball Hall of Fame efforts to achieve its mission statement. A donation also helps the museum advance various volleyball programs to individuals around the world. To make a donation to the Volleyball Hall of Fame, click here.
Coker men’s volleyball campaign
Coker announced recently it launched a crowdsource campaign with the goal of $5,000 to help fund its men’s volleyball program. The Cobras finished last season with the most wins of any NCAA Division I-II program competing as a independent. To make a donation, click here.
VOLLEYBALL STOCKING STUFFERS TO BUY THIS CHRISTMAS
Springbak Springsoles
If you’re searching for a stocking stuffer to give a volleyball player, or even a volleyball fan, the Springbak Performance Enhancing Springsoles could be a perfect fit. The Springsoles are shoe insoles that come in a variety of sizes. In addition, they are used by college and professional teams to improve performance ranging from better jumping to increased running ability. Springbak is also the official sponsor of the 2017 Preseason All-American Teams that will be unveiled in December. To order a Springsole, click here.
USA Volleyball mascot Ace
Showing support for USA Volleyball can now even come in the size of a stocking stuffer. To order the 10-inch stuffed animal of the USA Volleyball mascot Ace, click here.
Mini volleyball
Who doesn’t enjoy getting a mini volleyball to play around with in the house or to toss around with friends and family. To order this mini volleyball, click here.
BYU mini volleyball
To order this BYU mini volleyball that comes in the official school colors of blue and white, click here.
Impact Point
Volleyball themed movies are just the best to give this time of year. This movie’s plot is about beach volleyball player Kelly Reyes who loses a semifinal match. Following the mysterious postmatch death of a player on the opposing team, though, she joins the pair for the championship match. The off-the-court drama continues in preparation of the championship match as a police investigate reveals that Reyes could be in grave danger. Plus, this movie features a mysterious volleyball journalist who may not be all that he seems. To order the DVD of Impact Point, click here.
Kevin Barnett volleyball trading card
Kevin Barnett is the host of the popular volleyball podcast The Net Live and was a volleyball analyst for NBC at the recent Olympics. He also was a two-time Olympian for the United States. To order this Barnett volleyball card from the 2000 Olympics, click here.
Hawai’i foam finger
To order this Hawai’i foam finger to show your support for the Rainbow Warriors, click here.
Coker volleyball button
Not many other teams offer button merchandise, and that makes this a great stocking stuffer for Coker fans or fans of buttons. To order this button, click here
All You’ve Got
If you are participating in a dirty Santa event or giving away gag gifts this holiday season, this is volleyball movie to offer as a present. “All You’ve Got” is a MTV movie about three volleyball players who transfer to a rival high school after their private school burns down. It is classic teenage sports drama that even features Ciara in the cast. The 2006 movie received 4.5 out of 10 stars on IMDB. One review on the website calls it “the most horrible movie I’ve ever seen.” A positive, though, is the movie is about volleyball. To order this DVD, click here.
VOLLEYBALL TEAM SWAG TO BUY THIS CHRISTMAS
Alderson Broaddus sweatshirt
Alderson Broaddus in the midst of its transition to NCAA Division II membership finished last season 11-12 competing as an independent team. To order this sweatshirt, click here.
Ball State volleyball hoodie
Ball State was ranked in both the national media poll and national coaches poll throughout last season and finished in third place in the MIVA. To order this sweatshirt, click here.
Barton volleyball shirt
Barton ended last season reaching the Conference Carolinas Tournament finals for the first time in its program’s history. To order this shirt, click here.
Belmont Abbey Raise the Red hat
Belmont Abbey under first-year coach Sean Manzi made the program’s first Conference Tournament semifinals appearance last season. To order this hat, click here.
BYU volleyball shirt
BYU with three All-American selections won its third MPSF championship in the last four years and advanced to the NCAA Tournament finals. To order this shirt, click here.
Cal Baptist volleyball shirt
Cal Baptist under new head coach Derek Schmitt had an eight-win improvement from the previous year and finished the 2016 season in 10th place in the MPSF. To order this shirt, click here.
Charleston volleyball shirt
The newest EIVA member Charleston played its inaugural season in the conference in 2016 and finished in eighth place. To order this shirt, click here.
Coker volleyball hoodie
Coker had the best record among NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball independent teams last season at 14-9. To order this sweatshirt, click here.
Concordia-Irvine volleyball shirt
Concordia-Irvine ended last season at 10-7 and announced during the off-season that it will join the MPSF beginning in 2018. To order this shirt, click here.
CSUN volleyball shirt
CSUN ended last season tied for eighth place in the MPSF and was ranked No. 14 in the national coaches poll. To order this shirt, click here.
Emmanuel volleyball shirt
Emmanuel despite being ineligible for the postseason because of its transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II membership finished the 2016 season in seventh place in the Conference Carolinas. To order this shirt, click here.
Erskine volleyball shirt
Erskine ended last season winning the Conference Carolinas championship and earning a NCAA Tournament berth for the second time in the last three seasons. To order this shirt, click here.
Fort Wayne volleyball shirt
Fort Wayne under first-year coach Rock Perrotte qualified for the MIVA Tournament last season. To order this shirt, click here.
George Mason volleyball hat
George Mason won the EIVA championship last season and advanced to the program’s first NCAA Tournament in almost 30 years. To order this hat, click here.
Grand Canyon shirt
Grand Canyon ended last season with a program-record 17 victories and in fifth place in the MIVA. Even if you are not a fan of the Antelopes, this shirt is a great way to show your support of Off the Block editor Vinnie Lopes. To order this shirt, click here.
Harvard vintage sweater
Harvard finished last season in third place in the EIVA to qualify for the four-team conference tournament for the fifth consecutive year. To order this knit sweater, click here.
Hawai’i volleyball shirt
Hawai’i a year following an appearance in the NCAA Tournament finished at No. 8 in the national rankings and advanced to the MPSF Tournament quarterfinals. To order this shirt, click here.
King hat
King earned its second consecutive postseason appearance as it finished in ninth place in the Conference Carolinas and qualified for the conference tournament quarterfinals. To order this hat, click here.
Lees-McRae volleyball hat
Lees-McRae returns a majority of starters under second-year head coach Henry Chuang after it ended last season in 10th place in the Conference Carolinas. To order this hat, click here.
Lewis volleyball shirt
Lewis one-year removed from reaching the NCAA Tournament finals ended the 2016 season ranked No. 9 in the national coaches poll and advanced to the MIVA Tournament finals. To order this shirt, click here.
Limestone beanie
Limestone ended last season in seventh place in the Conference Carolinas and qualified for the conference tournament quarterfinals. To order this beanie, click here.
Lincoln Memorial hat
Lincoln Memorial is the newest NCAA Division II school to add a men’s volleyball program and will play its inaugural season beginning in 2017. To order this hat, click here.
Lindenwood hat
Lindenwood returns multiple starters after it finished last season in ninth place in the MIVA. To order this hat, click here.
Long Beach State volleyball shirt
Long Beach State with three Off the Block/Springbak, Inc. Freshmen All-Americans earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and ended the season ranked in the top five of the national coaches poll. To order this shirt, click here.
Loyola championship sweatshirt
Loyola as the two-time defending NCAA champions finished last season in second place in the MIVA and reached the conference tournament semifinals. To order this sweatshirt, click here.
McKendree shirt
McKendree after earning its first postseason appearance in program history ended the season reaching the 2016 MIVA Tournament semifinals. To order this shirt, click here.
Mount Olive scarf
Mount Olive finished last season in fifth place in the Conference Carolinas and reached the Conference Carolinas Tournament quarterfinals. Plus, for any Harry Potter fans this scarf is in Slytherin colors of green and white. To order this scarf, click here.
New Paltz volleyball shirt
New Paltz ended the 2016 season winning its first NCAA Division III championship in program history. To order this hat, click here.
NJIT volleyball hoodie
NJIT ended last season in fifth place in the EIVA and narrowly missed reaching the postseason for the first time since the EIVA in 2012 changed its conference tournament format to four teams. To order this sweatshirt, click here.
North Greenville hat
North Greenville in the program’s second season finished in sixth place in the Conference Carolinas and reached the conference tournament for the second straight season. To order this hat, click here.
Ohio State volleyball Dri-Fit shirt
Ohio State ended last season winning the MIVA championship for the first time in four years and its second national championship in the last five years. To order this shirt, click here.
Penn State volleyball shirt
Penn State despite missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in almost 20 years still won the 2016 EIVA regular season championship and was No. 12 in the national coaches poll. To order this shirt, click here.
Pepperdine socks
Pepperdine finished last season at No. 7 in both the national coaches poll and media poll and reached the MPSF Tournament semifinals. To order these socks, click here.
Pfeiffer volleyball blanket
Pfeiffer one-year removed winning the Conference Carolinas title and reaching the NCAA Tournament finished last season advancing to the conference tournament semifinals. To order this blanket, click here.
Princeton shirt
Princeton returns multiple all-conference starters after it ended last season in seventh place in the EIVA. To order this shirt, click here.
Queens volleyball shirt
Queens, a NCAA Division II school located in Charlotte, North Carolina, announced this fall that it would add a men’s volleyball program beginning in 2018. To order this shirt, click here.
Quincy volleyball shirt
Quincy finished last season in seventh place in the MIVA and qualified for the conference tournament quarterfinals. To order this shirt, click here.
Sacred Heart volleyball shirt
Sacred Heart under new head coach Greg Walker finished last season in sixth place in the EIVA. To order this shirt, click here.
St. Francis gloves
St. Francis in 2016 became the first team since 1998 to beat Penn State in the EIVA Tournament and finished at No. 15 in the national coaches poll. To order these gloves, click here.
Stanford volleyball hat
Stanford narrowly missed the final at-large berth to the 2016 NCAA Tournament and had players win the Lloy Ball Award for the nation’s best setter, the Ryan Millar Award for the nation’s best middle attacker and the Erik Shoji Award for the nation’s best libero. To order this hat, click here.
UC Irvine hat
UC Irvine after winning the 2015 MPSF championship and reaching the NCAA Tournament semifinals ended an injury-played 2016 season in eighth place in the MPSF. To order this hat, click here.
UC San Diego shirt
UC San Diego went 5-1 in non-conference play last season but finished conference play in last place in the MPSF. To order this shirt, click here.
UC Santa Barbara volleyball shirt
UC Santa Barbara ended last season at No. 5 in the national coaches poll and advanced to the MPSF Tournament semifinals for the second time in the last three years. To order this long sleeve shirt, click here.
UCLA volleyball shirt
UCLA last season became one of the first teams in recent college men’s volleyball history to run a 6-2 offense and earned the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth in a decade. To order this shirt, click here.
USC athletic shorts
USC returns multiple starters and second-year head coach Jeff Nygaard after it ended last season in 11th place in the MPSF. To order these shorts, click here.